I agree this sounds like a Patron system, where you’re paying a certain fee to have the perk of being able to support what comments Cecil covers. If anything, the price is low, as it’s just $2.50 a month, while most Patreon users I know would require at least a $5 a month pledge to get that privilege. Though, of course, they’re not giving a year’s worth upfront. (On the other hand, the lowest tier contributors tend to be the most reliable.)
I think probably the best way to get it out there would be to post links on the Twitter, which then everyone can easily link to and start trying to get a following from. Social media is where you have to go these days. You may want to actually use Twitter to solicit the actual questions, even. People can always use multiple tweets if the question is longer.
Finally, I do wonder about something that is only tangentially related: if you and Ed are busy on this, would there be room to get someone else to do the administration? There are at least some software-side things it would be nice to get fixed which need the administrator to make some changes. I’m not even saying they would have to be the only admin, but just that Ed could get some help.
Anyways, I do think we’re in an era where Cecil is needed more than ever. Too much of the world is moving past facts. Just like I support Snopes, I would love to support other missions to fight “the war against facts.”
And it’s not like I would have to vote if I didn’t want to.